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Show ContentsGardiner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Gardiner is a name that was formed by the Anglo-Saxon society of old Britain. The name was thought to have been used for someone who once worked as a gardener. The surname Gardiner originally derived from the Old French word gardinier. 1

It was later adopted in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright. Similarly, surnames of office, which include military, judicial, papal and other positions of authority, are widespread throughout Europe. Those who were involved in the military, or feudal armies, were given names such as the English surname Archer, the French name Chevalier and the German name Jeger, which means hunter. Names that were derived from judicial and papal titles, such asBailiffe, Squire and Abbott, are still commonly seen with the same surname spelling today.

Early Origins of the Gardiner family

The surname Gardiner was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat from very early times. Early records show William le Gardinier in county Rutland in 1199; William Gardin, listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of Huntingdon in 1218, John atte Gardyne, listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296; and Walter le Gardiner listed in the Subsidy Rolls for London in 1292. 2

The name is "most characteristic of the midland counties, and of the eastern counties south of the Wash. Singularly rare in the south - west, and in the north of England, excepting Lancashire. At present best represented in Essex, Lancashire, and Warwickshire." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has the following entries for the family: Geoffrey le Gardiner, Oxfordshire; Richard le Gardiner, Cambridgeshire; Ralph le Gardener, Huntingdonshire; and William le Gardiner, or Gardener, Lincolnshire. 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had only two entries:Thomas Gardiner; and Thomas Garchiner as holding lands there at that time.

In Scotland, the name was rendered in Latin charters as ortolanus and under that spelling the first Scottish record was found: Rogerus Ortolanus, who was juror on an inquest in 1296. "In 1329 there is record of meal delivered to Nicholas Gerdener who is again referred to as Nicholas ortolanus. Gilbert ortolanus is also referred to in the same source. Robert Gardnar was a notary public in the diocese of Dunblane in 1426." 5

Early History of the Gardiner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gardiner research. Another 301 words (22 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1300, 1370, 1452, 1454, 1458, 1478, 1486, 1493, 1503, 1531, 1535, 1545, 1555, 1589, 1591, 1592, 1599, 1604, 1624, 1635, 1636, 1637, 1640, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1674, 1688, 1695, 1705, 1726, 1732, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Gardiner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gardiner Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Gardiner include Gardiner, Gardner and others.

Early Notables of the Gardiner family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Stephen Gardiner (c.1493-1555), English prelate, who was made Bishop of Winchester (1531)
  • Thomas Gardiner (1591-1662), an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War
  • Lion Gardiner (1599-1663), English military engineer and American colonist arriving at Boston in 1635, responsible for building the fort and developing the settlement at Saybrook, Connecticut, eponym...

Gardiner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Gardiner is the 2,771st most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Gardiner is ranked the 809th most popular surname with an estimated 6,662 people with that name. 7 And in Australia, the name Gardiner is the 303rd popular surname with an estimated 11,795 people with that name. 8 New Zealand ranks Gardiner as 194th with 2,887 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Gardiner as 407th with 16,024 people. 10

Ireland Migration of the Gardiner family to Ireland

Some of the Gardiner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 100 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Gardiner migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Gardiner were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Gardiner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Gardiner, (Gardinar), from Essex, England who arrived in Plymouth, Mass aboard the "Mayflower" in 1620 11
  • Christopher Gardiner, who settled in New England in 1630
  • Sir Christopher Gardiner, who arrived in New England in 1630 11
  • Lyon Gardiner who settled in Saybrook, Long Island, after sailing in his 25 ton ketch called "Bachelor" in 1633. He purchased the island from the Indians, and this famous island was first known as Gardiner's Island. His daughter, Mary, was the first white person born on Long Island
  • Lion Gardiner, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Gardiner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Edmd Gardiner, who landed in Virginia in 1700 11
  • Head Gardiner, who arrived in Georgia in 1738 11
  • Peter Gardiner, who arrived in Maryland in 1747 11
  • Christian Gardiner, who settled in South Carolina in 1753 with his four children Age: 11
  • Michael Gardiner, aged 35, who arrived in New York in 1799 11
Gardiner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Gardiner, who landed in New York in 1801 11
  • Henry Gardiner, who landed in America in 1809 11
  • Hugh Gardiner, aged 20, who arrived in Maine in 1812 11
  • Elisha Gardiner, aged 30, who arrived in Maine in 1812 11
  • Archibald Gardiner, aged 17, who arrived in Maine in 1812 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Gardiner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Gardiner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Edward Gardiner U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
  • Private George Gardiner U.E. (b. 1743) born in Vermont, USA from Vermont, USA who settled in Front of Yonge Township, Leeds County, Ontario c. 1784 he enlisted in 1777 and served in the King's Loyal Americans in Capt. Hugh Munro's Company, then Capt. Jessup's Company and Capt. McAlpins Corps he died in 1816, married to Ruth Morey they had 8 children 12
  • Mr. John Gardiner U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 12
  • Mr. John Gardiner U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 12
  • Mr. Jacob Gardiner U.E., "Gardner" who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Gardiner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Walter Gardiner, who arrived in Canada in 1821
  • George Gardiner, who arrived in Esquimalt, British Columbia in 1862

Australia Gardiner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Gardiner Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Gardiner, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 20th March 1790, sentenced for 7 years, transported Atlantic" on 27th March 1791 to New South Wales, Australia 13
Gardiner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Gardiner, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Adamant" on March 16, 1821, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Edward Gardiner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
  • Mr. James Gardiner, English convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
  • Mr. John Gardiner, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 2nd May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Gardiner, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Gardiner migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Gardiner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Gardiner, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Gardiner, aged 19, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 19
  • Robert Gardiner, aged 34, a tailor, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 20
  • Jane Gardiner, aged 35, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 20
  • John Gardiner, aged 5, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Gardiner (post 1700) +

  • Sylvester Gardiner (1708-1786), American colonial physician and landowner
  • E. Watson Gardiner, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 30th District, 1926, 1928 21
  • E. Watson Gardiner, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Montgomery County, 1894-95 21
  • Dirck Gardiner, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Columbia County, 1793-94, 1800-01 21
  • David Gardiner (1784-1844), American politician, Member of New York State Senate 1st District, 1824-27 21
  • Dale F. Gardiner, American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Riverton, Utah, 1985-89; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Utah 3rd District, 1986 21
  • Charles L. Gardiner, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Wayne County, 1883-84 21
  • C. H. Gardiner, American politician, Representative from Nevada at-large, 1892 21
  • Byron J. Gardiner, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Stonington, 1894, 1904, 1906 21
  • Abraham H. Gardiner, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Suffolk County 1st District, 1853 21
  • ... (Another 52 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. William Gardiner (d. 1914), British Scullion from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Heathcote Diggery Gardiner (1923-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Cranbrook, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. George Alexander Gardiner, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
HMS Royal Oak
  • Richard Henry Gardiner (1920-1974), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 25
Ibrox disaster
  • John Gardiner (1939-1971), Scottish football supporter, from Glasgow who was at the Ibrox disaster on 2nd January 1971 when a human crush among the crowd killed 66 and injured 200 people he died of his injuries 26

Suggested Readings for the name Gardiner +

  • The Gardiner-Squires Connection: An Account of the Gardiner Family of Gardiner's Island, Long Island, New York and the Squires Family of Squiretown, Long Island, New York and West Haven, Connecticut, Their Connections and Allied Families by Tiger Gardiner.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Adamant voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1821 with 144 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adamant/1821
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/captain-cook
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  21. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  22. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  23. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  24. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  25. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  26. Bradford City Football Club In memory (retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/club/in-memoriam/
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